The edition before you presents Ibn 'Ajiba's (1747-1809) commentary on the great gnostic ʻAbd al-Salām ibn Mashīsh al-ʻAlamī's (1211-1294) celebrated salutation, or taṣliyah, upon the Prophet of Islam. The salutation, commonly known as As-Salat al-Mashishiyah ("The Prayer of Ibn Mashish"), is a seminal piece of literature read throughout the Muslim world. Prayers upon the Prophet were initiated by God (Qur'an 33:56), instructed by the Prophet himself, and dutifully carried out by illustrious generations since the Prophetic companions.

"He (ibn Mashīsh) is the Pole of Islam. He is the Sea which overflows."

(Abu al-Hasan ash-Shadhili)

"The Shaykh's (ibn Mashīsh) lofty status and majestic rank is famous and well known. He penetrated the depths of the mystical sciences of the Folk [the Sufis], all of which center around the science of actualizing in one's self the character traits of the Prophet .